Knowledge Class' - A dynamic structure for subject access on the web

Abstract

This project investigates how traditional information organizing concepts, methods, and tools may be applied to the digital environment, both theoretically and practically. A new method of knowledge organization in the distributed environment is developed. The method, Knowledge Class, is designed to be both an information organizing device and an information access tool. Individually, each knowledge class is an organized entity dynamically linked to web information resources. Collectively, instances of knowledge classes can be assembled through classification hierarchies to form a conceptual infrastructure for organizing and managing web resources. The framework for Knowledge Class is a Java/JavaScript interface that integrates recent web technology with traditional devices of knowledge organization and access.